Ghosn: Army Has Clear Orders to Respond to Any Attack, Won't Accept Conditional Grant
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Caretaker Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn on Monday stressed that “the Lebanese army has clear orders from the political authority to respond to any attack against Lebanese territory in the vein of what happened in Arsal.”
"The Lebanese army is protecting Lebanese territory and we're very clear when we say that the army is separate from politics and political bickering," Ghosn said in an interview with LBCI television.
He noted that ever since the Syrian crisis broke out in March 2011, "the Lebanese army that is deployed on the border was in full preparedness and utilized all its capacities to respond to anything that might affect the country's unity and structure."
Ghosn's remarks come after the Lebanese army fired anti-aircraft guns at Syrian helicopters earlier on Monday after they carried out a raid on the Bekaa border town of Arsal, in the first such response.
Asked about Saudi Arabia's decision to donate three billion dollars in weapons to the Lebanese army, Ghosn said he welcomes any donation but emphasized that it must not be “conditional.”
“The army does not accept any conditional donation whichever side it may come from,” said the defense minister.
“The Saudi donation must be discussed by cabinet and the Army Command must be informed of the suggested weapons so that it can specify its needs,” he added.
In response to another question, Ghosn said his Hizbullah-led political camp might have certain fears that “the donation to the army might be part of the domestic political bickering in the country.”
On Sunday, President Michel Suleiman announced that Saudi Arabia has pledged to grant Lebanon three billion dollars with the aim of purchasing French weapons for the Lebanese army as soon as possible.
In its evening news bulletin, LBCI said the donation needs to be approved by the Lebanese cabinet and that the funds will be given to France to equip the army with weapons.
Separately, Ghosn said security forces are conducting the investigation into the assassination of former minister Mohammed Shatah “in full confidentiality,” revealing that “there are some leads that might help unveil the truth.”
30 December 2013, 22:44
136
Byebye Ghosn, ur time is up. The army will shoot 2 kill any armed shia or other including ur Syrian boss.
Adios muchacho!
31 December 2013, 11:43
47
gotta love those comments "shoot 2 kill any armed shia"... then surely primesucepet will tell you he is not sectarian and we are :)
31 December 2013, 13:12
46
ooooh yea, it makes SUCH a big difference. thanks for saving the day ice-boy, here's a shekel.
30 December 2013, 23:30
712
@primesuspece - you realize that the army will never attack the Hezb. Do you even live in Lebanon?
30 December 2013, 23:31
710
Ironically the first condition is weapons have to be purchased from France. Not that I don't want to see a strong army but 3 billion in my opinion would be better spent on infrastructure and creating jobs.
31 December 2013, 00:38
112
irapatriot ....... you have way out-done yourself with this comment. The only one needing a drink and leaving Lebanon for the Lebanese is you. Pleasse post comments with contents for the sake of Zeinab.
30 December 2013, 23:35
811
Seems like there trying to reward France for trying to block the nuclear deal with Iran. Until we have a new electoral law will the will of the people is truly represented this country is going down the drain.
30 December 2013, 23:41
910
They definitely are trying to reward France and at the same time punish Russia for not abandoning Assad.
Bandar "Bush" threatened Putin with attacks leading up to the Sochi games.
31 December 2013, 00:14
510
anonymetexasusa
Please point out where I said the army should not accept the money??
Thank you :) You're not the brightest bulb are you?
Just curious. Why didnt Lebanon accept weapons that were being offered by Iran a few years ago???
31 December 2013, 00:16
99
dogkiller
That's the messed up thing about Western(US) foreign policy.
They help Al-Qeada in Syria and fight them in Africa.
They turn a blind eye to Saudi/Bahriani oppression yet want to voice their concern for Syrian "revolution".
My brain is working fine, yours on they other hand has probably been brainwashed one too many time.
31 December 2013, 00:24
810
dogkiller
if you knew how to read my first post was directed to anonymetexasusa.
I responded to your foolish post after.
It seems there's a competition for who the brightest bulb is between the three of you.
31 December 2013, 00:33
611
anonymetexasusa
Simple answer from a simple man.
You just make up arguments based on your hatred towards Hezz without being realistic at all. We both know even with 3billion the LAF could not defend Lebanon.
And btw thanks for pointing out where I said that the LAF should NOT accept the money.
31 December 2013, 00:33
91
Well said ...... A condition that stipulates it (the LAF) be the only armed force is not a condition but an expectation from all Lebanese.
31 December 2013, 00:45
310
anonymetexasusa
You must really hate Hezz. To sit there and write stuff you know are false. But I guess thats just the M14 way.
Where was the LAf during the 2006 war btw??
And only an enemy of the state looks at the army and Hezz as competitors. As Lebanese we should all be fighting the same fight.
31 December 2013, 00:48
410
You guys clearly need to adjust the way your brain works. Hezb and the Army work as one. The army was getting a beat down in Abra until Hezb got involved. There are members of Hezb who's brothers are in the army. They work side by side.
31 December 2013, 00:51
410
Let me ask you M14 supporters one question - if we had an electoral law where it was based on one man one vote who would win? Who's the real majority in this country?
31 December 2013, 13:48
36
the 55% has nothing to do with shia or not
out of 128 seats
M14 got 71 seats with 44.5% of votes
and M8 got 57 seats with 55.5% of votes
official figures, whether you like em or not.
31 December 2013, 00:57
101
I read somewhere that a cabinet session is needed to approve the
3 billion dollars?....is that right?
31 December 2013, 00:59
49
zakblat
They cant answer your question. Its too nerve-raking for them.
31 December 2013, 01:25
59
Mr.Kelb or Mr.Dog whichever you prefer. Not all March8 approved postponing elections, and there was no agreed electoral law. They approved Salam because he is the least confrontational figure, no one wants to see Sanora. M14 is afraid of any electoral law based on popular vote - according to the official results March 8 received 55% of the popular vote. According to walid jumblatt he is no longer part of March 14 - hence if there was any law based on popular support march 14 would fare worse then Anthony Weiner
31 December 2013, 01:53
39
@texas - Geagea, Hariri, Berri nor Jumblatt wanted elections. The only person who was advocating for elections no matter which law was adopted was Aoun. And btw we both know if there was a law based on popular vote March 14 would would be ancient history.
31 December 2013, 02:03
11
I apologize there dog killer didn't know you'd get offended so quick, I guess your more of a puppy breeder then a dog killer. Anyways - my argument had to do with the electoral system in the country and who's has the majority of people on there side. National Unity is what's best for the country.
31 December 2013, 03:19
46
The Watan comes first. Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country.
31 December 2013, 03:59
45
I don't give a flying f.... to those who give a thumbs down. But for the Watan? Shame on you unless you are Persian or Saudi.
31 December 2013, 14:47
00
ما يُصطلح على تسميته "الدولة اللبنانية" من رأس التنفيذي إلى آخر مجند بسيط في الجيش ممسوك من ميليشيا إيران في لبنان. لا يشذ عن هذه القاعدة سوى شعبة المعلومات التي بقيت حتى الآن عاصية على الإمساك بها. في نظر السعوديين والفرنسيين من غير الوارد اعطاء اموال لهذه "الدولة" بما فيها سليمان. وطبعاً تسليم اسلحة للجيش بقيادته ومخابراته الحالية. فهذه الاسلحة ستُستخدم لضرب اللبنانيين ولخدمة الميليشيا الإيرانية. وبما أن لا احد يتصور سليمان ملبنناً الجيش والمؤسسات، و14 آذار قائدة ثورة ضد الميليشيا الإيرانية، فالارجح ان هذه الهبة السعودية ستذهب ادراج الرياح.
31 December 2013, 14:48
00
ما يُصطلح على تسميته "الدولة اللبنانية" من رأس التنفيذي إلى آخر مجند بسيط في الجيش ممسوك من ميليشيا إيران في لبنان. لا يشذ عن هذه القاعدة سوى شعبة المعلومات التي بقيت حتى الآن عاصية على الإمساك بها. في نظر السعوديين والفرنسيين من غير الوارد اعطاء اموال لهذه "الدولة" بما فيها سليمان. وطبعاً تسليم اسلحة للجيش بقيادته ومخابراته الحالية. فهذه الاسلحة ستُستخدم لضرب اللبنانيين ولخدمة الميليشيا الإيرانية. وبما أن لا احد يتصور سليمان ملبنناً الجيش والمؤسسات، و14 آذار قائدة ثورة ضد الميليشيا الإيرانية، فالارجح ان هذه الهبة السعودية ستذهب ادراج الرياح.
